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An informational coloring book celebrating 69 women in American political history. Missed this Kickstarter? Buy a copy below. Additional information about the book and accompanying historical program is available at tellingherstories.com.

About

Remembering the Ladies: A Coloring Book

$3,397

pledged of $3,000 goal

98

backers

"And by the way in the new Code of Laws...I desire you would remember the ladies... If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice or Representation." -- Abigail Adams, writing to her husband John at the Continental Congress March 31,1776

Artwork copyright Laura Davidson

"We feel that for too long our leaders have used politics as the art of the possible. The challenge now is to practice politics as the art of making what appears to be impossible, possible." -- Student Body President Hillary Rodham (later Clinton) delivering a graduation address at Wellesley College, May 1969.

Remembering the Ladies: From Patriots in Petticoats to Presidential Candidates -- Founding Mothers, Suffragists and Activists, and Politicians Who Paved the Way

Since before the American republic was founded, women have sought inclusion in its political life -- yet many of their stories are relatively unknown.

This book will invite readers to literally color in the remarkable contributions of more than 50 courageous and tenacious women-- founding mothers whose efforts aided the American Revolution, generations of abolitionists, suffragists, feminists, labor and civil rights leaders who fought for the vote and other rights for women, and women who sought and sometimes achieved elective and appointed office.

Why is this coloring book different?
It's not "just" a coloring book!

Each coloring page will have a short bio, a fascinating fact and a quote by the woman. The book will include resources for more reading for kids, teens, and adults (I'm a librarian after all!) and a note where a museum dedicated to her can be found (if one exists).

So, it's a great educational resource in addition to being fun.

It's inclusive and diverse, just like the women in the book.

Many artists are participating. If you or a friend like to draw, please contact me at rememberingtheladies.book@gmail.com ---we have a few spots left!

Many artists means many styles, which also adds to the fun.

By participating in this Kickstarter, you will enable me to raise production costs for an initial print run as well as to give each of the illustrators an honorarium for their work.

In keeping with the goal of bringing to light some of the lesser-known women in history, my goal is to give a variety of illustrators a chance to have their work seen. You can find submission guidelines at tinyurl.com/rtl-illustrations & contact me for a list of the women I'm actively looking for.

A note about names. It is customary in conventional journalism to refer to people by their last names. But for most women, those last names change after their marriages. So instead I have chosen to use their first names -- names most retained throughout their lives.

Risks and challenges

Many of the text entries for this coloring book have already been completed and I have a publisher lined up for the project -- but the success of the project obviously depends on having fun-to-color, informative illustrations.

I have already received interest from potential illustrators for more than half of the women, but am still awaiting finished art. I am hoping that this Kickstarter will publicize the project to many potential illustrators and enable me to pay them honorariums for their work. (The amount paid will depend on how much the Kickstarter raises, but I will be as generous as I can.) I plan to provide updates and more art samples as some of the coloring pages are finalized.

In the unlikely event I do not receive enough quality illustrations before the project deadline, I will post an alert so you can cancel your commitment to the project and your credit cards will not be charged.

Support

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Pledge $1 or more
About $1.00

Help a Scout Troop "Remember the Ladies"

Want to get copies of this book into the hands of kids or teens? Donations of any amount in this category will be combined to make $100 "Donation Packs" (described below) which will give 15+ copies of "Remembering the Ladies" to a girl scout troop or other organization serving economically-disadvantaged youth.

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Pledge $100 or more
About $100

Donation Pack

Let us give a copy to every girl in a Girl Scout troop or another organization serving economically-disadvantaged youth. You can designate the organization or leave it to us to select the recipient. Your donation will fund 15 copies and we will try to throw in a few extra if needed so the group gets one for each child or teen. (Can't afford $100? Any of the other levels can also be designated a donation and will be combined into sets.) If you are an organization serving youth and would like to apply to receive a set, please contact me at remembering.the.ladies.book@gmail.com with details and the number of copies you would need for your group. Fulfillment will of course depend on number of pledges received. Domestic shipping included.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $150 or more
About $150

"Telling Her Stories" show - local

Bring my new show "Remembering the Ladies" (available starting in late 2016) or any of my other historical presentations to your venue within 30 miles of Bedminster NJ. Available now: "Bridge Builder in Petticoats: Emily Roebling and the Brooklyn Bridge," "Nobody Owns the Sky: Early Female Aviatrices," and "A W.A.S.P. Takes Wing: the Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II." Details at tellingherstories.com.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,000 or more
About $1,000

"Telling Her Stories" show -- national

Same as above anywhere in the U.S. (travel and hotel expenses additional). Prices are very negotiable depending on distance. Please contact me at remembering.the.ladies.book@gmail.com if you are interested in this option.